Water-closet valve.



No. 695,898. Patented Mar. 25, 1902. A. G. ALEXANDER.

WATER CLOSET VALVE.

(Application Bled Dec. 17, 1900.)

(H0 Model.)

:7%. j, www

f A m www@ @y @mi f mi womus Pcrsns co. PHormxmc.. wAsHmswN L.

lmllllllllllUWM miran raras eretti Erica,

ALEXANDER G. ALEXANDER, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

WATER-CLOSET VALVE.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of LBJGI'S 13a/tent NO. 695,898, dated. March 25, 1902.

Application filed December 17, 1900. Serial N0- 40,104 (N0 mOdel-l To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER G. ALEX- ANDER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, county of lVayne, State of Michigan, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Water-Closet Valves; and I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention has for its object a new and improved water-closet valve; and it consistsl of the structure, combination, and arrangement of devices hereinafter described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a View in vertical section illustrating my invention. Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation. Fig. 3 is a viewin cross-section on the line 3 3, Fig. l. Fig. 4L is a detail view of the stirrup or yoke. Fig.f 5 is a detail view, partlyin vertical section, showing the engagement of the regulating-valve with the pistonrod of the dash-pot. Fig. 6 is a detail view, also in vertical section, showing features illustrated in Fig. 5, the section being taken at right angles to that shown in Fig. 5. Fig. '7 is a detail view, in vertical section, showing the valve-rod l, projecting into the drainpipe Q.

My invention aims to provide a valve of this description of simple and economical construction and of superior utility.

I carry out my invention as follows: I prefer to construct the valve-case in three parts, A representing the upper portion ofthe valvecase, A the lower portion of the case, and A2 an intermediate portion having a threaded engagement with the adjacent ends of the upper and lower portions of said case. Within the intermediate portion of the case is a working chamber A3 for the working parts of the valve, into which any leakage from the packing-gland may collect and from which the leakage maybe discharged, as hereinafter set forth. l

A4 is the cap.

B denotes the main valve, and C the valveseat, carried at the downward extremity of the lower portion A of the valve-case. \Vithin the upper portion of the case is a dash-pot cylinder D, which may be filled with oil or Water by removing the cap A4 to govern the operation of the valve B. Within the dash-pot cylinder is a piston E, provided with a hollow stem or rod E, having a threaded engagement, as shown at e, with the piston, said rod being also threaded toward its upper end, as shown at e.

F is a stirrup or yoke, with the upper end of which the piston-rod E is engaged, as shown at f, said yoke being provided with downwardly-projectingarms f, engaged with the upper `end of the shell of the valve B, said shell being shown formed with laterally-projecting arms b b to engage said arms of the yoke, as shown. The yoke is also provided with a downwardly-projecting arm f2 to be engaged by an operating-lever G, fulcrumed to the portion A2 of the valve-case, as shown at g. To this end the lower extremity of the arm f2 is preferably forked, as shown at f3, to rest astride the inner end of the operatinglever. The piston-rod may have an adjustable engagement with the upper end of the yoke by means of nuts e2 upon the threaded portion e of said rod.` The yoke F being engaged with the valve B, as above speciiied, it is evident that when the lever G is operated to lift said yoke said valve will also be lifted off said seat. Y

A5 is the water-inlet opening or nozzle, communicating into a water-inlet chamber A6 within the lower portion of the casing. The stroke of the operating-levervmay be regulated by a screw H in the adjacent portion of the easing. By adjusting the position of said screw the stroke of the lever,and consequently the stroke of the valve B, may be regulated accordingly.

I denotes a stuffing-box about the shell of the valve B, and J is a packing-nut to hold the packing in place.

K is a nut engaged with the lower end of the dash-pot cylinder. The two nuts J and K are connected by arms 7c. It will thus be seen that the dash-pot cylinder is supported upon said nuts within the valve-casing.

L is a hollow tube for carrying the upper end of the rod or plunger E', said tube having a threaded engagement into the cap A4. 4

M denotes a spring exertngits tension upon IOO the valve, the upper end of the spring contacting with the lower portion of the cylinder D, the lower portion of the spring extended within the shell of the valve. By making the valve hollow, as shown, provision is made for a corresponding extension of said spring to give the desired amount of spring tension. It will be perceived that when the plunger and valve are lifted by the operation of the lever G said spring is compressed, and when the lever is released the tension of the spring is exerted to restore the valve to its seat, carrying downward therewith the plunger.

N is a discharge tube or pipe holding the seat O in place and also limiting the area of the discharge-opening of the valve-casing, thereby preventing any noise of thewater in its discharge as well as limiting the amount of.water flowing into the closet. The upper end of the tube N is shown fianged outwardly to engage upon the valve-seat, as shown at n. The discharge-pipe N is carried within a surrounding tube Aconnected with the lower portion of the valve-case and upon the upper end of which rests-the leather or othersimilarvalve-seat-C.

The lower portion of the case is provided with an inwardly-.projecting shoulder, as at a, engaging upon the upper face of the'valveseat. connected a drain-tube Q, passing through the discharge-pipe N, as shown, and opening into the shell of said valve. The upper end of the shell of the valve vis provided with small openings b below the line of the opening A7, through which the lever G works when the valve is unseated, through which open' ings b. water in the chamber A3 will pass into the shell of the valve, and thence be discharged through the drain-tubeQ. Thus anyv leakage passing the packing-glands I will be carried away, as above described. The tube Q is carried downward a'sufticient distancel in the discharge-pipe to allow the creation of a suction when the valve is open and water is passedv downward through the discharge-y pipe; otherwise the water in the chamber A3 .might back up and overflow through the opening=ATof the case.

To'regulate the descent of the piston E in the dash-pot cylinder, I provide the pistonrod or plunger withfan interior rod S, having a threaded engagement with the plunger at its lower end, the lowerend of the rod S being provided with a V-shaped or other suitable opening T, so constructed and arranged that by adjusting the rod S said opening may be adjusted to allow more or less ofthe liquid in the dash-pot cylinder to pass therethrough, so as to regulate the descent ofthe piston in said cylinder.

The yplunger maybe provided with one or more orifices S,.'through which the liquid maypass into the upper portion of the cylinderwhen vthe vopening Tis adj-usted into' openy position. By reference to Fig. 5 it will be seen that when the opening t is adjusted With the lower end of the valve B isi It will readily be understood that the stroke of the piston into the dash-pot cylinder may thus be governed as desired. The lowerend of the rod S, it will be seen, is enlarged to permit lits having a threaded engagement with the lower end of the plunger.

The piston E is constructed with a cup shaped leather, made thin Vand flexible, so that when the piston ascends the leather will be loose. The orifices S' in the hollow rod are always of greater dimensions than the dimensions of the opening T, permitting the interior of the rod E at its lower end to be cbnstantly lled with water, excluding the passage of air through the opening T underneath the piston. A constant vacuum is thus caused under the piston, in consequence of which when the piston ascends atmospheric pressure will force the water down about the sides of the piston to thefspace within the dash pot cylinder therebelow. It will be clear, therefore, that oil or water will thus be prevented from being lifted over the edge of the dash-pot cylinder. When the tension of the spring M comes upon the p-iston, the leather of the piston will be tightened against the inner walls of the cylinder.

The operation of the valve willnow be understood. The closet-bowlis flushed by pushing down the operating-lever G untilit strikes the set-screw H or until the adjacent nut e2 strikes the lower end of the tube L. It will be evident that by adjusting the tube L in the cap A4 the stroke of the plungerwill be regulated accordingly, giving more or less travel to the plunger, as may be desired, before the adjacent nut e2 will strike the lower end of said tube. When the valve is unseated, the water entering the inlet-orifice A5 isv then permitted to pass through the dischargepipe N into the bowl until the valve is seat vthe valve depending upon the time taken for the. water or oil in the cylinder D to be transferred from below the piston in the cylinder to the top of the cylinder, the passage of the liquid in the cylinder being regulated by means of lthe opening or slot in the lower end of the rod S, the degree of the unclosing of said opening governing the pas- Ico los.

Ilo

sage of the liquid from beneath the piston into position thereabove, thereby governing the descent of the piston. As soon as the lever G is depressed the valve is thus opened, permitting a full flow of water, the iiow continuing until the valve approaches closely to the seat, the supply of water being then diminished, but continuing until the valve is closed, thus allowing the bowl to refill, as required, the amount of water allowed for the reiillin g of the bowl bein g1 egulated, as above observed, by the speed with which the valve is allowed to close. The valve is iirst regulated through the opening in the lower end of the rod S to provide forY the proper speed for rellingof the bowl, and the duration of the fiushing of the bowl is regulated by the set-screw H or the adjustment of the tube L, which governs the stroke of the lever and of the valve, as described.

The shell of the valve B is cylindrical and is of equal diameter throughout and forming an equalized cylindrical valve. It will be observed also that all the direct working parts of the valve within the case work upon a straight line. The shoulder c not only serves to hold the washer in place, but also assists in regulating the afterfiush of the closet-bowl in connection with the adjustment of the rod S with its opening T. The amountof afterlush Vwill be governed by the speed of the valve after it passes the upper edge of said shoulder or while the valve is traveling past the inner face of said shoulder to its seat.

To prevent any liability of water backing up through the tube Q on account of the water-pressure, I prefer to employ a valve-rod, (indicated by the numeral 1,) said valve-rod connected with the lower end of the dash-pot cylinder and Vextending downward through the spring M, the lower end of said valve-rod arranged to close off communication through the lower end of the valve B when said valve` is unseated.

As shown in Fig. 7, the lower end of said valve-rod is beveled on one face thereof, as

indicated by the numeral 2, the upper end ofv the bevel extending slightly above the inner face of the valve when the valve is seated; but it will be evident that since the valverod is connected with the dash-pot when the valve is lifted communication through the lower end of the valve will be cut off. The lower end of the valve-rod may extend into the upper end of the drain tube Q or said drain-tube might be dispensed with.

One of the main objects of the present invention is to so construct the device that the water in the lower chamber will never rise above the packingpreferably a soft packing-into contact with the working parts of the valve. It is important that the inletpipe should lead into the side of the lower chamber. It will be seen that the stroke of the lever regulated by the screw ll controls the lift of the valve.`

What I claim as my invention is Y l.V The combination with a caseprovided with a valve-seat and with an inlet-opening, of an equalized cylindricatvalve above said seat, packing about said valve `above said opening, a dash-pot cylinder provided with a piston and its plunger to govern the seating of the valve, a yoke engaging said valve and said plunger, and a lever to lift said yoke.

2. The combination with a case provided with a valve-seat and with an inlet-opening, of an equalized cylindrical valve above said seat, a packing about said valve above said opening, a dash-pot cylinder provided with a piston and its plunger, and a packing-nutte hold the packing in place, said cylinder supported upon said packing-nut.

3. The combination with a case provided with a valve-seat and with an inlet-opening above the seat, of a cylindrical valve above said seat provided with an opening through its base, means to liftthe valve off its seat, means to govern the'seating of the valve, and means to close said openingin the valve when lthe valve is lifted off its seat.

4. The combination with a case provided with a valve-seat and with an inlet-opening, of a valve above said seat provided with an opening therethrough, a dash-pot cylinder provided with a piston and its plunger, and a valve-rod connected with said cylinder to close the opening through the valve when the valve is lifted, and means to lift the valve off its seat, said dash-pot cylinder constructed to govern the descent of the valve.

5. Awater-closet valve having a case forming a water-inlet chamber, a working chamber thereabove, an inlet-opening into the side of the inlet-chamber, and an outlet-opening at the base of said chamber, of a valve-seat at the base of the inlet-chamber below the inlet-opening, valve-operating mechanism in said working chamber, an equalized cylindrical valve above said seat reciprocatory in both said chambers, packing about said valve above said inlet-opening between the inletchamber and the working chamber, a dashpot cylinder provided with a piston and its plunger above said valve, means to simultaneously lift said valve and piston, and means to regulate the flow of liquid in said cylinder from one side of the piston to the other, said inlet-chamber discharging beneath the valve when the valve is open.

6. A water-closet valve having a case constructed with a water-inlet chamber, with a working chamber thereabove, with an inletpipe arranged to communicate directly with the city water-main leading into the side of the inlet-chamber, and an outlet-opening at the base of said chamber, of a valve-seat at the base of the inlet-chamber, an equalized cylindrical valve reciprocatory within said chambers above the valve-scat,packing about said valve between said chambers and above the inlet-pipe, valve-operating mechanism in said working chamber, and moans to govern IOO IIO

only into: the inlet-chamber above the' valveseat and be discharged therefrom below the valve by the opening of `said valve, the water;

'in the inlet-chamber being prevented by said packing from rising into said working chamber.

7.. A' water-closet valve having a case con- 'structed .with a water-inlet chamber, with a workingvchamber thereabove, with an inletpipe arranged to communicate directly with the city water-main leading into the side of the inlet-chamber, and an outlet-opening at the base of said chamber, of a valve-seat at the base of the inlet-chamber, an veqnalized vcylindrical valve reciprocatory within said chambers above theva'lve-seampacking about said valve between said chambers and above the inlet-pipe, valve-operating mechanism in said working chamber, means to govern the seating of the valve, and means to regulate the stroke of the valve, whereby the water from a city water-main would be admitted only into the inlet-chamber above the valveseat and be discharged therefrom below the valve by the opening of ,said valve, the water in the inlet-chamber being prevented by said packing from rising thereabove into the working chamber andintoV contact with the working kparts of 'the' valve.

'8. A water-closet valve having a case constructed with a water-inlet chamber, with a working chamber thereabove, with an inletpipe arranged to communicate directly with the city water-main leading into the side of the inlet-chamber, and an outlet-opening at the base of said chamber, of a valveseat at the base of thev inlet-chamber, an equalized cylindrical valve reciprocatory within said chambers above the valve-seat, packing about said valvel between said chambers and above the inlet-pipe, valve-operating mechanism in said Working chamber, a lever projecting into l the working chamber to actuate said mechw--anism, means to govern the seating of the valve, and-means'to regulate the stroke of said lever, whereby 'the water from a city water-main would be admitted only into the inlet-chamberabove the valve-seat and be discharged therefrom below the Vvalve by the opening of said valve, the water in the inletchamber being prevented by said packing from rising thereabove into the working chamber and into contact with the working parts of the valve.

9. A water-closet valve having a case constructed with a Water-inlet chamber, with a working chamber' thereabove, with an inletpipe arranged to communicate directly with the city water-main leading into the side of the inlet-chamber, and an outlet-opening at the base of said chamber, of a valve-seat at the base of the inlet-chamber, an equalized cylindrical valve reciprocatory within said chambers above the valve-seat, packing about said valve between said chambers and above the inlet -'pipe, a yoke within the working chamber'engaging said valve, a lever to lift tsaid yoke, and means to govern the seating of the valve, whereby the water from a city water-main would be admitted only into the 'chamber being prevented by said packing from rising thereaboveinto the working chamber and into contact with the working parts of the valve.

lO. vA water-closet valve having a case constructed with a water-inlet chamber, with a working chamber, with an inlet-pipe arranged to communicate directly with the city watermain'leading into the side of the inlet-chamber, and an outlet-opening at the base of said chamber, of a valve-seat at the base of the inlet-chamber, an equalized cylindrical valve reciprocatory within said chambers above the valve-seat, packing about said valve between said chambers and above the inlet-pipe, a discharge-pipe communicating with the inlet-chamber when the valve is opened, valveoperating mechanism in the working chamber, and means to govern the seating of the valve, said valve opening at its upper end into the'working chamber, and at its lower end opening into the discharge-pipe, whereby the water from a city water-main would be admitted only into the inlet-chamber above the valve-seat and be discharged therefrom below the valve by the opening of said valve, the water in the inlet-chamber being prevented by said packing from rising thereabove into the working chamber and into contact with the working parts of the valve.

1l. A water-closet Valve having a case constructed with a water-inlet chamber, with a working chamber thereabove, and with an inlet-pipe arranged to communicate directly with the city water-main leading into the side of the inlet-chamber, of a valve-seat at the base of the inlet-chamber, an equalized cylindrical valve reciprocatory within said chambers above the valve-seat, packing about said valve between said chambers and above the inlet-pipe, a discharge-pipe communicating 'with the base of the inlet-chamber, a tube surrounding the discharge-pipe and carrying the valve-seat, means to lift the valve oif its seat, and means to govern the seating of the valve, whereby the water from a city watermain would be admitted only into the inletchamber and be discharged therefrom by the opening of said valve, the water in the inletchamber being prevented by said packing from rising thereabove into the working chamber and into contact with the working parts of the valve.

12. A water-closet Valve having a case con-l IOO IIO

the base of said chamber, of a valve-seat at the base of the inlet-chamber, an equalized cylindrical valve reciprocatory within said chambers above the valve-seat, packing about said valve between said chambers and above the inlet-pipe, valve-operating mechanism in the working chamber, and means to govern the seating of the valve, whereby the water from a city water-main would be admitted only into the inlet-chamber above the valveseat and be discharged therefrom below the valve by the opening of said valve, the water in the inlet-chamber being prevented by said packing from rising thereabove into the wo rking chamber and into contact with the working parts of the valve, said Valve provided with a drain pipe communicating therethrough.

13. A water-closet valve having a case constructed with a water-inlet chamber, with a working chamber thereabove, with an inletpipe arranged to communicate directly with the city water-main leading into the side ot' the inlet-chamber, and an outlet-opening at the base of said chamber, of a valve-seat at the base of the inlet-chamber, an equalized cylindrical valve reciprocatory within said chambers above the valve-seat, packing about said valve between said chambers and above the inlet-pipe, a dash-pot cylinder within the working chamber provided with a piston and its plunger, means within the working chamber connecting said plunger with said valve, means to raise said piston and valve, whereby the water from a city water-main would be admitted only into the inlet-chamber above the valve-seat and be discharged therefrom below the valve by the opening of said valve, the water in the inlet-chamber being prevented by said packing from rising thereabove into the workin g chamber and into contact with the working parts of the valve, said cylinder and piston constructed to govern the descent of the valve.

14. A water-closet Valve having a case constructed with a water-inlet chamber, with a working chamber thereabove, with an inletpipe arranged to communicate directly with the city water-main leading into the side of the inlet-chamber, and an outlet-opening at the base of said chamber, of a valve-seat at the base of the inlet-chamber, an equalized cylindrical valve reciprocatory within said chambers above the valve-seat, packing about said valve between said chambers and above the inlet-pipe, a dash-pot cylinder within the working chamber provided with a piston and its plunger, a spring engaging the valve with said cylinder, means connecting said piston and valve, means to lift the piston and valve and compress said spring, and means to govern the descent of the valve, whereby the water 'from a city water-main would be admitted only into the inlet-chamber above the valve-seat and be discharged therefrom below the valve bythe opening of said valve, the

water in the inlet-chamber being preventedby said packing from rising thereabove into the working chamber and into contact with the working parts of the valve.

l5. A water-closet valve havingacase constructed with a Water-inlet chamber, with a working chamber thereabove, with an inletpipe arranged to communicate directly with the city water-main leading into the side of the inlet-chamber, and an outlet-opening at the base ot said chamber, of a valve-seat at the base of the inlet-chamber, an equalized cylindrical valve reciprocatory within said chambers above the valve-seat,packing about said valve between said chambers and above the inlet-pipe, a dash-pot cylinder within the working chamber provided with a piston and its plunger, means connecting said valve and piston, means to simultaneously lift the valve with said piston and its plunger, and a spring extending into the valve and exerting its tension thereupon to restore the valve and piston to normal position, whereby the water from a city water-main would be ad mitted only into the inlet-chamber above the valve-seat and be discharged therefrom below the valve by the opening of said valve, the water in the inlet-chamber being prevented by said packing from rising thereabove into the working chamber into contact with the working parts of the valve.

16. A water-closet valve having a case constructed with a water-inlet chamber, with a working chamber thereabove, with an inletpipe leading into the side of the inlet-chamber, and with an outlet-opening at the base of said chamber, of a valve-seat at the base of the inlet-chamber, an equalized cylindrical valve reciprocatory within said chambers above the valve-seat, packing about said Valve between said chambers and above the inlet-pipe, operative devices for actuating the valve located in the working chamber, a lever to actuate said operative devices to litt the valve off its seat, means to regulate the stroke of the lever, said operative devices provided wit-h means to regulate the seating of the valve, said valve-case provided with a shoulder projecting inwardly at the base of the inlet-chamber above the valve-seat, y

whereby the water would be admitted only into the inlet-chamber above the valve-seat and be discharged therefrom below the valve by the opening of said valve, the Water in the inlet-chamber being prevented by said packing from rising thereabove into the Working chamber and into contact with the working parts of the valve, and whereby the afteriush of the closet-bowl will be determined by the speed of the travel of the valve past said shoulder, the means to regulate the stroke of the valve, and the means to regulate the speed of the seating of the valve being independent.

17. A water-closet valve having a case constructed with a water-inlet chamber, with a working chamber thereabove, with an inletpipe leading into thc side of the inlet-cham- IOC IIC

ber, andan outlet-opening at the base of said chamber, of a valve-seat at the'base of the inlet-chamber, operative devices for actuating the valve located in the working charnber, an equaiized cylindrical valve reciprocatory within said chambers above the valveseat, packing about said valve between said chambers and above the inlet-pipe, whereby the water from the inlet-pipe would be admitted only into the inlet-chamber above the valve-seat and be discharged therefrom below the valve by the opening of said valve, l 

